Caley Thistle end season on a high with another win
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Scottish Premier League
Hamilton Accies 1, Caley Thistle 2
CALEY Thistle finished the season with a victory, albeit a scrappy one, against already relegated Hamilton Accies.
Aaron Doran for Chris Hogg was the only change from the Inverness team that had overcome Hibernian last time out, their third consecutive victory since the split.
In a first half, however, that will not live long in the memory, both teams served up tepid fare.
A James Chambers from the edge of the area that narrowly evaded finding the corner of Jonny Tuffey's goal was the only real effort of note before Caley Thistle forged in front a minute before the interval.
Aaron Doran outpaced David Buchanan and stood the ball up to the back post where an unmarked Richie Foran was rushing in to apply the finishing touch.
Accies attempted to find a quickfire riposte and it was former Inverness player Dougie Imrie who found it, his smart volley from Chambers pass forcing Tuffey into a decent block
An injury to Grant Munro, making his last-ever appearance for Caley Thistle meant a defensive reshuffle at the interval.
Kenny Gillet moved from left back to centre half with Stuart Duff taking his position. This meant Lee Cox dropping back to right back and Russell Duncan coming off the bench to play in his usual midfield role.
Having to change around the back four clearly unsettled the visitirs as Accies drew level within four minutes of the restart.
Ali Crawford's corner kick found the Caley Thistle players ball watching and Simon Mensing wandered in to divert the ball home from less than three yards out.
Inverness, however, quickly recovered their composure and were back in front with 57 minutes gone.
Nick Ross seized upon Hamilton's hesitancy in defence before unselfishly slipping the ball to the unmarked Adam Rooney, who slid the ball past Tomas Cerny from 12 yards.
Both teams seemed to be in the habit of gifting each other chances and Accies were presented with a gilt edged one with a penalty.
Gillet was caught dithering on the ball by Imrie, who got to the ball first before the onrushing Tuffey only to be taken down inside the area. Referee Iain Brines booked Tuffey, who despite being beaten by Mensing's thunderous spot-kick, was saved by the crossbar.
Hamilton continued to push for the equaliser, but Tuffey produced a wonderful reflex save to keep out Imrie's flick before Jim McAlister, at full stretch, could only send the loose ball over the bar.
HAMILTON ACCIES - Cerny; Imrie, McDonald (Millar, 69), Neil, McAlister, Buchanan, Chambers, Crawford (McGlinchey, 69), Mensing, Hasselbaink (Hopkirk, 58), Kilday. Subs unused: Hendrie, Wilkie, Gillespie. Booked: Imrie.
CALEY THISTLE - Tuffey; Duff, Gillet, Tokely, Munro (Duncan, 46), Cox, Sutherland (Sanchez, 82), Ross, Rooney, Foran, Doran. Subs unused: Odhiambo, Morrison, MacDonald, Polworth, Esson. Booked: Tuffey.
Attendance: 2017.
Referee: I. Brines.
